ReviewDoing What They Do Best: Bell & Ross Introduce Another Bronze Diver Watch—In Black And Green
French watchmakers Bell & Ross, who have previously proven their prowess in crafting diving timepieces, have come out with their latest ‘time instrument’—set in a bronze case, housing a bright green dial
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Their ‘circle in a square’ design, and crafting highly functional time instruments that fit the needs of professionals are what Bell & Ross do best. The maison entered the world of dive timepieces with the Hydromax, in 1997, which guaranteed 11,100m of water resistance. Twenty-seven years later, the famous lineup of dive watches they’ve crafted since then now gets an update in bronze with green. This is the new BR 03 92 bronze Diver watch.
A Limited Edition: The BR 03-92 Bronze Diver Black And Green
At first glance, one thing’s immediately clear: the contrast works, alright. The green of the dial, the black of the crown and the bezel, and the gorgeous bronze case, satin-finished and polished, all make for a visual treat.
The brand have also stuck to what they does best, which is making their signature ‘rounded square’ case with reliable and accurate mechanics. To the layperson, it’s just another addition to the Parisian brand’s respectable arsenal of dive watches. To admirers of the brand, the timepiece ticks all the right boxes.
Limited to 999 pieces, the 42mm case of this watch is crafted in CuSn8, which comprises 92 percent copper and 8 percent tin. The use of bronze means that over time, the case of the watch will develop a layer of patina that will be unique to each watch, meaning no two cases will look alike after a while. In the words of the brand, ‘with a patina that develops over time as it oxidises, bronze gives watches extra soul, puts the wearer in touch with nature, and casts an allure that evokes the finest epics known to man.’ Though this is a little too poetic, the sentiment rings true.
Limited to 999 pieces, the 42mm case of this watch is crafted in CuSn8, which comprises 92 percent copper and 8 percent tin. The use of bronze means that over time, the case of the watch will develop a layer of patina that will be unique to each watch, meaning no two cases will look alike after a while
The unidirectional-rotating bezel comes with a black anodised aluminium insert, and the screw-down crown has a black rubber ring for added grip. The time instrument offers 300m of water resistance.
The dial features blackened indices and hands, finished with Super-LumiNova with a green glow. The rather cute date window at 4:30 is aligned horizontally and provides just the kind of visibility that it needs to have. You won’t suddenly forget what date it is while you’re diving.
What Makes The BR 03-92 Bronze Diver A ‘Time Instrument’
Inside the watch is the BR-CAL.302 self-winding movement, which provides 54 hours of power reserve and runs at a rate of 28,800vph. An engraving of a diver’s helmet adorns the caseback, which is screwed down on each corner.
The watch also complies with the international standard ISO-6425, which states that a ‘diving watch’ is one ‘that must withstand immersion in water to a depth of at least 100m and have a time control system’. The unidirectional bezel is also protected against unintentional rotation; the five-minute markings are specially highlighted; and as required, the minute scale goes up to 60 minutes. The indices are also visible at a distance of 25cm in the dark.
In addition, the functionality is checked underwater by submerging the watch to a depth of 40cm—give or take 2cm—for 50 hours, between 18 and 25°C. Those details, among other tests, makes sure that the watch is worthy of it being called a ‘time instrument’.
A rather bold choice in bronze, but it’s worth it. On paper, it’s a simple addition to the brand’s famed collection of diving watches. When you zoom in, the details provide information that warrants a double-take, which is also what people will be doing when they see this watch on your wrist.
